This is a list of notable events in country music that took place in the year 1987.

Events

* June 13 —

Randy Travis Randy Bruce Traywick (born May 4, 1959), known professionally as Randy Travis, is an American country music and gospel music singer, songwriter, guitarist, and actor. Active from 1978 until being incapacitated by a stroke in 2013, he has recor ...

' " Forever and Ever, Amen" spends three weeks at No. 1 on the ''Billboard'' Hot Country Singles chart. It is the first multi-week chart-topping song since "

Lost in the Fifties Tonight (In the Still of the Night) "Lost in the Fifties Tonight (In The Still of the Night)", a single released by country music singer Ronnie Milsap. It is a medley of "Lost in the Fifties Tonight" written by Mike Reid and Troy Seals and a cover of The Five Satins' 1956 hit " In ...

" by

Ronnie Milsap Ronnie Lee Milsap (born Ronald Lee Millsaps; January 16, 1943) is an American country music singer and pianist. He was one of country music's most popular and influential performers of the 1970s and 1980s. Nearly completely blind from birth, ...

spent two weeks atop the chart in September 1985; in that time span, 85 other songs had been No. 1. Only three other songs during the 1980s — all of them in 1980 — would spend more than two weeks at No. 1, owing much to how ''Billboard'' compiled the chart data at the time. * September —

Dolly Parton Dolly Rebecca Parton (born January 19, 1946) is an American singer-songwriter, actress, philanthropist, and businesswoman, known primarily for her work in country music. After achieving success as a songwriter for others, Parton made her album d ...

's TV variety series, '' Dolly'', premieres on ABC in September. Despite strong ratings in its early weeks, the show was panned by critics and viewership declined. The series was cancelled at the end of the 1987–1988 season.

No dates

* 46-year-old singer-songwriter

K.T. Oslin Kay Toinette Oslin (May 15, 1942 – December 21, 2020) was an American country music singer-songwriter. She had several years of major commercial success in the late 1980s after signing a record deal at age 45. Oslin had four number one hits and ...

becomes the success story of the year with her hit "80s Ladies", a Grammy Award-winner which tells the story of three childhood friends who stay together through an era of social change. The song spawns an award-winning video and, despite only reaching No. 7 on the Hot Country Singles chart, was one of the most played songs of the year. Oslin's rise to fame in her mid-40s came at a time when mainstream country radio was beginning to shun older female artists for younger, more attractive stars.

Top hits of the year

Singles released by American artists

Singles released by Canadian artists

Top new album releases

Other top albums

On television

Regular series

* '' Dolly'' (1987–1988, ABC) * ''

Hee Haw ''Hee Haw'' is an American television variety show featuring country music and humor with the fictional rural "Kornfield Kounty" as the backdrop. It aired first-run on CBS from 1969 to 1971, in syndication from 1971 to 1993, and on TNN from 199 ...

'' (1969–1993, syndicated)

Specials

Births

*January 31 –

Tyler Hubbard Tyler Reed Hubbard (born January 31, 1987) is an American singer-songwriter, and musician, best known as a former member of the Nashville-based duo Florida Georgia Line. Hubbard, a native of Monroe, Georgia, had been involved with music since a y ...

, member of Florida Georgia Line, a duo of the 2010s. *May 7 –

Russell Dickerson Russell Edward Dickerson (born May 7, 1987) is an American country pop singer-songwriter from Union City, Tennessee. Dickerson has released two albums through Triple Tigers. Both have accounted for four singles charting on Hot Country Songs an ...

, country performer of the 2010s onward. *May 21 –

Cody Johnson Cody Daniel Johnson (born May 21, 1987) is an American country music singer-songwriter. He self-released six albums, including ''Gotta Be Me'', which debuted at number two on ''Billboard''s Country Albums chart, before releasing his first major- ...

, Texas country singer-songwriter of the 2010s onward (" 'Til You Can't"). *August 16 – Dan Smyers, member of Dan + Shay, a rising duo of the 2010s. *September 25 —

Greg Bates Greg Bates (born September 25, 1987) is an American country music singer formerly signed to Republic Nashville. Early life In 2006, Bates graduated from Ravenwood High School. Bates then graduated in 2010 with a degree in Music Business from Be ...

, up-and-coming country singer of the early 2010s. *October 17 –

Jameson Rodgers Jameson Rodgers (born October 17, 1987) is an American country musician signed to Columbia Nashville/River House, whose debut single "Some Girls" charted on the Country Airplay chart. Early life Jameson Rodgers grew up in Batesville, Mississippi ...

, up-and-coming country singer-songwriter of the early 2020s.

Deaths

* June 25 –

Boudleaux Bryant Felice Bryant (born Matilda Genevieve Scaduto; August 7, 1925 – April 22, 2003) and Diadorius Boudleaux Bryant (; February 13, 1920 – June 25, 1987) were an Americans, American husband-and-wife country music and pop songwriting team. They ...

, 67, songwriter (with wife Felice) of many 1950s and 1960s hits.

Hall of Fame inductees

Country Music Hall of Fame inductees

Rod Brasfield Rodney Leon Brasfield (August 22, 1910 – September 12, 1958) was an American comedian who was prominently featured on the Grand Ole Opry from 1947 until his death in 1958. In 1987, he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. Life and ...

(1910–1958)

Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame inductees

Lucille Starr Lucille Marie Raymonde Savoie (May 13, 1938September 4, 2020), known professionally as Lucille Starr, was a Canadian singer, songwriter, and yodeler originally from Saint Boniface, Manitoba. She was best known for her 1964 hit single, "The Frenc ...

Major awards

Grammy Awards

*Best Female Country Vocal Performance — " 80's Ladies",

K. T. Oslin Kay Toinette Oslin (May 15, 1942 – December 21, 2020) was an American country music singer-songwriter. She had several years of major commercial success in the late 1980s after signing a record deal at age 45. Oslin had four number one hits and ...

*Best Male Country Vocal Performance — '' Always & Forever'',

*Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal — '' Trio'',

Linda Ronstadt Linda Maria Ronstadt (born July 15, 1946) is a retired American singer who performed and recorded in diverse genres including rock, country, light opera, the Great American Songbook, and Latin. She has earned 11 Grammy Awards, three American ...

and

Emmylou Harris Emmylou Harris (born April 2, 1947) is an American singer, songwriter and musician. She has released dozens of albums and singles over the course of her career and has won 14 Grammys, the Polar Music Prize, and numerous other honors, including ...

*Best Country Collaboration with Vocals — " Make No Mistake, She's Mine,"

and

Kenny Rogers Kenneth Ray Rogers (August 21, 1938 – March 20, 2020) was an American singer, songwriter, and actor. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2013. Rogers was particularly popular with country audiences but also charted mo ...

*Best Country Instrumental Performance — "String of Pars,"

Asleep at the Wheel Asleep at the Wheel is an American Western swing group that was formed in Paw Paw, West Virginia, and is based in Austin, Texas. The band has won nine Grammy Awards since their 1970 inception, released over twenty albums, and has charted more t ...

*Best Country Song — " Forever and Ever, Amen,"

Paul Overstreet Paul Lester Overstreet (born March 17, 1955) is an American country music singer and songwriter. He recorded 10 studio albums between 1982 and 2005, and charted 16 singles on the ''Billboard (magazine), Billboard'' country charts, including two ...

and

Don Schlitz Donald Alan Schlitz Jr. (born August 29, 1952) is an American country music songwriter. For his songwriting efforts, Schlitz has earned two Grammy Awards, as well as four ASCAP Country Songwriter of the Year awards. In 1993, he was inducted int ...

(Performer: Randy Travis)

Juno Awards

*Country Male Vocalist of the Year —

Ian Tyson Ian Dawson Tyson (September 25, 1933 – December 29, 2022) was a Canadian singer-songwriter who wrote several folk songs, including " Four Strong Winds" and " Someday Soon", and performed with partner Sylvia Tyson as the duo Ian & Sylvia. Ea ...

*Country Female Vocalist of the Year —

k.d. lang Kathryn Dawn Lang (born November 2, 1961), known by her stage name k.d. lang, is a Canadian pop and country singer-songwriter and occasional actress. Lang has won Juno Awards and Grammy Awards for her musical performances. Hits include the s ...

*Country Group or Duo of the Year —

Prairie Oyster Prairie Oyster was a Canadian country music group from Toronto, Ontario. They were named Country Group or Duo of the year six times by both the Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA) and the Juno Awards. The band also won the Bud Country Fan ...

Academy of Country Music

*Entertainer of the Year —

Hank Williams, Jr. Randall Hank Williams (born May 26, 1949), known professionally as Hank Williams Jr. or Bocephus, is an American singer-songwriter and musician. His musical style is often considered a blend of southern rock, blues, and country. He is the son of ...

*Song of the Year — " Forever and Ever, Amen,"

and

(Performer:

) *Single of the Year — "Forever and Ever, Amen," Randy Travis *Album of the Year — '' Trio'',

, and

*Top Male Vocalist — Randy Travis *Top Female Vocalist —

Reba McEntire Reba Nell McEntire (born March 28, 1955), or simply Reba, is an American country music singer and actress. Dubbed " the Queen of Country", she has sold more than 75 million records worldwide. Since the 1970s, McEntire has placed over 100 single ...

*Top Vocal Duo —

The Judds The Judds were an American country music duo composed of lead vocalist Wynonna Judd and her mother, Naomi Judd. The duo signed to RCA Nashville in 1983 and released six studio albums between then and 1991. The Judds were one of the most success ...

*Top Vocal Group —

Highway 101 Highway 101 was an American country music band founded in 1986 in Los Angeles, California. The initial lineup consisted of Paulette Carlson (lead vocals), Jack Daniels (guitar), Curtis Stone (bass guitar, vocals), and Scott "Cactus" Moser (drums) ...

*Top New Male Vocalist —

Ricky Van Shelton Ricky Van Shelton (born January 12, 1952) is an American retired country music singer. Active between 1986 and 2006, he charted more than 20 singles on the ''Billboard'' Hot Country Songs charts. This figure includes 10 Number One hits: "Somebod ...

*Top New Female Vocalist —

K. T. Oslin Kay Toinette Oslin (May 15, 1942 – December 21, 2020) was an American country music singer-songwriter. She had several years of major commercial success in the late 1980s after signing a record deal at age 45. Oslin had four number one hits and ...

*Video of the Year — " 80's Ladies",

K. T. Oslin Kay Toinette Oslin (May 15, 1942 – December 21, 2020) was an American country music singer-songwriter. She had several years of major commercial success in the late 1980s after signing a record deal at age 45. Oslin had four number one hits and ...

(Director: Jack Cole)

ARIA Awards

''(presented in Sydney on March 2, 1987)'' *

Best Country Album The Grammy Award for Best Country Album is an award presented at the Grammy Awards, a ceremony that was established in 1958 and originally called the Gramophone Awards, to recording artists for quality albums in the country music genre. Honors ...

- '' Mallee Boy'' ( John Williamson)

Canadian Country Music Association

*Entertainer of the Year —

*Male Artist of the Year —

*Female Artist of the Year —

Anita Perras Anita Perras (born 17 March 1960) is a Canadian country music singer. Perras has released six solo albums, three duo albums with former husband Tim Taylor, and charted twenty-six songs on the '' RPM'' Country Tracks chart between 1981 and 1995 ...

*Group of the Year —

Family Brown Family Brown was a Canadian country music band founded in 1967 by Joe Brown (vocals, bass guitar), along with his son Barry (vocals, guitar) and daughters Lawanda and Tracey (vocals), as well as Dave Dennison (guitar) and Ron Sparling ( drums). B ...

*SOCAN Song of the Year — "Heroes"

Gary Fjellgaard Gary Lynn Fjellgaard (born August 14, 1937)Staff (undated)"Gary Fjellgaard" ''The Canadian Encyclopedia''. Retrieved February 15, 2013. is a Canadian country music singer-songwriter. He has released fifteen albums and charted thirty-five songs ...

(Performer:

Mercey Brothers The Mercey Brothers were a Canadian country music group active from 1957 to 1989. The brothers were seven-time Juno Award winners for "The Top Country Group" and were inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame. Early life All three M ...

) *Single of the Year — "Navajo Rug", Ian Tyson *Album of the Year — ''Cowboyography'', Ian Tyson *Top Selling Album — ''

Storms of Life ''Storms of Life'' is the debut studio album by American country music artist Randy Travis, released on June 2, 1986, by Warner Bros. Records Nashville. Certified 3× Multi-Platinum by the RIAA for American shipments of three million copies. it f ...

'',

*Vista Rising Star Award — k.d. lang *Duo of the Year —

and Tim Taylor

Country Music Association

*Entertainer of the Year —

*Song of the Year — " Forever and Ever, Amen,"

and

(Performer:

) *Single of the Year — "Forever and Ever, Amen," Randy Travis *Album of the Year — '' Always & Forever'', Randy Travis *Male Vocalist of the Year — Randy Travis *Female Vocalist of the Year —

*Vocal Duo of the Year —

Ricky Skaggs Rickie Lee Skaggs (born July 18, 1954), known professionally as Ricky Skaggs, is an American neotraditional country and bluegrass singer, musician, producer, and composer. He primarily plays mandolin; however, he also plays fiddle, guitar, ma ...

and Sharon White *Vocal Group of the Year —

*Horizon Award —

Holly Dunn Holly Suzette Dunn (August 22, 1957 – November 14, 2016) was an American country music singer and songwriter. Dunn recorded for MTM Records between 1985 and 1988, Warner Bros. Records between 1988 and 1993, and River North Records between 1995 ...

*Music Video of the Year — "My Name Is Bocephus,"

(Directors: Bill Fishman and Preacher Ewing) *Instrumentalist of the Year —

Johnny Gimble John Paul Gimble (May 30, 1926 – May 9, 2015) was an American country musician associated with Western swing. Gimble was considered one of the most important fiddlers in the genre. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1999 i ...

External links

Country Music Hall of Fame
{{List of years in country music

Country A country is a distinct part of the world, such as a state, nation, or other political entity. It may be a sovereign state or make up one part of a larger state. For example, the country of Japan is an independent, sovereign state, while the ...

Country music by year

Events

No dates

Top hits of the year

Singles released by American artists

Singles released by Canadian artists

Top new album releases

Other top albums

On television

Regular series

Specials

Births

Deaths

Hall of Fame inductees

Country Music Hall of Fame inductees

Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame inductees

Major awards

Grammy Awards

Juno Awards

Academy of Country Music

ARIA Awards

Canadian Country Music Association

Country Music Association

Further reading

Other links

External links